Janis' Spots for Riga and Around
Food Scene
I like casual, non-pretentious places with sizable portions that don't cost too much. If you do as well, here's a few of my favorites + some more hip ones.
Hipsterish, not expensive, great craft beers, big portions, typical Latvian
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Gauja, kafejnīca
32 Stabu ielaHipsterish, not expensive, great craft beers, big portions, typical Latvian
High-end coffee for true fans of this drink. Great brunch as well and a very cosy setting.
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Rocket Bean Roastery
29/31 Miera ielaHigh-end coffee for true fans of this drink. Great brunch as well and a very cosy setting.
Great gastropub with an amazing selection of gin. Not expensive.
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Andalūzijas Suns
83 Elizabetes ielaGreat gastropub with an amazing selection of gin. Not expensive.
Don't let the outside fool you - this is a place that has its regulars who come for the gigantic portions of Latvian food and beer, some of which is under €2 a pint. Also great for watching sports (especially if you're in town then the Latvian hockey team is playing).
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Three Men in a Boat
35 Avotu ielaDon't let the outside fool you - this is a place that has its regulars who come for the gigantic portions of Latvian food and beer, some of which is under €2 a pint. Also great for watching sports (especially if you're in town then the Latvian hockey team is playing).
On a good day, grab a cab to Cabo, a nice little place on the shore of Ķīšezers, Riga's largest lake, and enjoy the peaceful view.
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Cabo Cafe
8A Roberta Feldmaņa ielaOn a good day, grab a cab to Cabo, a nice little place on the shore of Ķīšezers, Riga's largest lake, and enjoy the peaceful view.
MiiT Coffee
10 Lāčplēša ielaA vegan-friendly coffee place. Hipsterish.
Great little restaurant that is more upscale but not expensive. Wonderful service.
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Čemodāns
39 Ģertrūdes ielaGreat little restaurant that is more upscale but not expensive. Wonderful service.
This fancy restraurant offers delicious locally-inspired food. Try wild venison or Baltic salmon.
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FERMA
7 Valkas ielaThis fancy restraurant offers delicious locally-inspired food. Try wild venison or Baltic salmon.
So it's late and you're craving something to eat? Can't go wrong with munchies. You'll find great burgers and freshly baked pizzas here. And that one last pint of beer before you head home after a long night.
Late Night Munchies
21 Peldu ielaSo it's late and you're craving something to eat? Can't go wrong with munchies. You'll find great burgers and freshly baked pizzas here. And that one last pint of beer before you head home after a long night.
LIDO is a chain of bistros that sells quintessentially Latvian food - stuff that we would cook at home. The one on Krasta is this huuuuge log building that houses a bistro, a restaurant, and a beer cellar (Lido brews its own beer, too). It's nothing fancy, really, but if you want to taste what Latvians normally eat, take a look. It's difficult to get here by public transportation so I recommend taking a taxi. Or, you can find other, smaller, LIDOs in the center of Riga.
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Lido Leisure Centre
76 Krasta ielaLIDO is a chain of bistros that sells quintessentially Latvian food - stuff that we would cook at home. The one on Krasta is this huuuuge log building that houses a bistro, a restaurant, and a beer cellar (Lido brews its own beer, too). It's nothing fancy, really, but if you want to taste what Latvians normally eat, take a look. It's difficult to get here by public transportation so I recommend taking a taxi. Or, you can find other, smaller, LIDOs in the center of Riga.
"Ausmeņa" kebab place comes from Rēzekne, in the eastern part of Latvia. Many locals swear it's the best donner kebab in town.
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Ausmeņa Kebabs
12 Skolas iela"Ausmeņa" kebab place comes from Rēzekne, in the eastern part of Latvia. Many locals swear it's the best donner kebab in town.
Rocket Bean Roastery (Dzirnavu)
39 Dzirnavu ielaGreat artisan coffee!
Drinks & Nightlife
Cosy, casual, modern, hip, not expensive, "Ezītis" or "Hedgehog" has several locations, and the one on Avotu is one of the best. They have a terrace as well in the summer.
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Avotu Ezītis miglā
32 Avotu ielaCosy, casual, modern, hip, not expensive, "Ezītis" or "Hedgehog" has several locations, and the one on Avotu is one of the best. They have a terrace as well in the summer.
Live jazz, good beers, great vibe. Also doubles as a restaurant.
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Craft Beer Taproom & Jazz bar-restaurant Trompete
24 Peldu ielaLive jazz, good beers, great vibe. Also doubles as a restaurant.
The most Latvian pub you'll go to. Virtually every kind of beer available in the country. Great food, lots of dancing. Very traditional - to the point you might not meet too many Latvians there.
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Folkklubs ALA pagrabs
19 Peldu ielaThe most Latvian pub you'll go to. Virtually every kind of beer available in the country. Great food, lots of dancing. Very traditional - to the point you might not meet too many Latvians there.
It's a local microbrewery that makes beers inspired and flavored by Latvian herbs and other traditional tastes. Highly recommended.
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Labietis
9a Aristida Briāna ielaIt's a local microbrewery that makes beers inspired and flavored by Latvian herbs and other traditional tastes. Highly recommended.
The biggest and craziest party in the Old Town. Go downstairs for karaoke, hang by the bar or grab a bite to eat on the first floor, or party with the DJ or live band on the second floor. Lots of space, lots of people, lots of tourists, lots of everything. Lots of fun too, though.
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Reiterna nams
2 Mārstaļu ielaThe biggest and craziest party in the Old Town. Go downstairs for karaoke, hang by the bar or grab a bite to eat on the first floor, or party with the DJ or live band on the second floor. Lots of space, lots of people, lots of tourists, lots of everything. Lots of fun too, though.
Funny Fox
1 Grēcinieku ielaA karaoke bar typically overrun by tourists but good fun nevertheless.
Vecais Ezītis Miglā
9 Palasta iela"Ezītis" is a classic. Cheap drinks, great food. You can't go wrong.
A little hole in the wall called "Beer Manor" - they sell local craft brews you might not find in most other places. Nice, cosy, and not too loud.
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Alus Muiža
45 Ģertrūdes ielaA little hole in the wall called "Beer Manor" - they sell local craft brews you might not find in most other places. Nice, cosy, and not too loud.
Stabu Mākonis
42 Stabu ielaOne of Riga's top cocktail bars. Loungy vibe and cool people.
If you love beer, it's THE place for you. They have every local variety of every local microbrewery in stock, like 500 different kinds of Latvian beer and cider (and some artisanal nonalcoholic beverages) in bottles and cans (and 5-6 on tap). It's mostly for takeaway although there are a few spots for enjoying the beer right away.
Lauvas Alus
30 Tallinas ielaIf you love beer, it's THE place for you. They have every local variety of every local microbrewery in stock, like 500 different kinds of Latvian beer and cider (and some artisanal nonalcoholic beverages) in bottles and cans (and 5-6 on tap). It's mostly for takeaway although there are a few spots for enjoying the beer right away.
Tallinas kvartāls
M/Darbnīca
Zefirs
ONE ONE
18A Šarlotes ielaEssentials
Rimi is the closest supermarket to the place. It has everything you might need and is open pretty late.
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Rimi
46 Krišjāņa Barona ielaRimi is the closest supermarket to the place. It has everything you might need and is open pretty late.
"Drogas" is the pharmacy kind-of store without the pharmacy part. Cosmetics, makeup, hygiene products etc.
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Drogas
4 Krišjāņa Barona iela"Drogas" is the pharmacy kind-of store without the pharmacy part. Cosmetics, makeup, hygiene products etc.
Mēness aptieka
154 Brīvības ielaIt's a pharmacy that works 24/7. Good to know just in case.
I managed to find the closest ATM. It's located at the Empire Casino next door - it's on the 6th floor. If you're lost, just ask the hotel staff for help.
Luminor ATM
2 Stacijas laukumsI managed to find the closest ATM. It's located at the Empire Casino next door - it's on the 6th floor. If you're lost, just ask the hotel staff for help.
Shopping
They say it's the second-largest open-air market in Europe after the one in Istanbul. Check it out! Lots of stuff there, but mostly try fresh produce and groceries from the local farmers. It's not touristy as you might expect - it's a real market where Latvians buy groceries.
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Riga Central Market
They say it's the second-largest open-air market in Europe after the one in Istanbul. Check it out! Lots of stuff there, but mostly try fresh produce and groceries from the local farmers. It's not touristy as you might expect - it's a real market where Latvians buy groceries.
"Latgale" is a real flea market. Lots of old stuff, sketchy-looking people, and some haggling. If you can bring a local with you to this place, do so. If not - well, keep an open mind as you dig through the Soviet-era paraphernalia you will find here.
Market Latgale
9A Firsa Sadovņikova iela"Latgale" is a real flea market. Lots of old stuff, sketchy-looking people, and some haggling. If you can bring a local with you to this place, do so. If not - well, keep an open mind as you dig through the Soviet-era paraphernalia you will find here.
Getting Around
Trains leave from here to a lot of towns in Latvia and elsewhere.
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Riga Central Station
2 Stacijas laukumsTrains leave from here to a lot of towns in Latvia and elsewhere.
Bus No. 22 to the airport leaves from here. The location on this map is approximate. It's an easy 5-min walk from the apartment.
Abrenes iela
Bus No. 22 to the airport leaves from here. The location on this map is approximate. It's an easy 5-min walk from the apartment.
Riia station
This is where intercity buses leave from.
Bus 22 goes from the airport to a stop 5 min from the apartment. You can also grab a taxi (it costs anywhere from €7-15).
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Riga International Airport
Bus 22 goes from the airport to a stop 5 min from the apartment. You can also grab a taxi (it costs anywhere from €7-15).
Parks & Nature
Κήπος Βερμάνες
2D Tērbatas ielaGreat for enjoying a good day outside.
It's an open-air museum that has old buildings from the Latvian countryside. Great for walking around in the woods.
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Εθνογραφικό Μουσείο Υπαίθρου Λετονίας
21 Brīvdabas ielaIt's an open-air museum that has old buildings from the Latvian countryside. Great for walking around in the woods.
Mežaparks
Great for jogging/rollerblading/skateboarding/biking around.
AB Dambis
Great for catching an amazing panoramic view of the Old Town.
Arts & Culture
The Latvian opera and ballet are world-renowned. Give it a shot!
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Εθνική Όπερα της Λετονίας
3 Aspazijas bulvārisThe Latvian opera and ballet are world-renowned. Give it a shot!